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Britain's most fashion-obsessed boors are back in "Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie," showing that it's harder than it looks to keep up with what's chic.
PR consultant Edina Monsoon (Jennifer Saunders, who scripted this continuation of her oft-revived '90s sitcom) continues to live above her means with her sad-sack daughter Saffron (Julia Sawalha), Saffy's teen daughter Lola (newcomer Indeyarna Donaldson-Holness) and Eddie's addled mum (June Whitfield) — and to spend time and money with best pal Patsy Stone (Joanna Lumley).
Eddie's PR business is faltering, and she can't sell her memoir to a publisher. But when word gets around that supermodel Kate Moss needs a new PR person, Eddie and archrival Claudia Bing (Celia Imrie) try to corner Moss at a gallery opening, leading to a disastrous moment that turns Eddie into the villain of a global scandal.
Saunders and director Mandie Fletcher gather much of the original cast (notably Jane Horrocks as Eddie's off-kilter assistant, Bubble) and a slew of cameos, including Jon Hamm, Chris Colfer ("Glee"), Gwendoline Christie ("Game of Thrones") and designer Jean-Paul Gaultier.
Some of the gags don't carry over well to this side of the pond (who remembers Lulu? Anyone?), and some of Eddie and Patsy's boozy antics aren't as funny as they were 20-plus years ago.
'Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie'
Opens Friday, July 22, at area theaters; rated R for language including sexual references, and some drug use; 90 minutes.